By this time, quite a population had established homes in the Salmon Brook area and the settlement north of the main street bridge was know as Indian Head Village. Dunstable Plains, also known as Pine Forest, was the name given to the area between Indian Head Village and Salmon Brook because it was a very sandy area and would not support farming. The industrialization of Dunstable took this quiet farming town to a thriving marketplace! Soon many businesses, shops, hotels, churches, and newspapers rose up in the once barren space between the two settlements. Urbanization had arrived!
We also added a police force called the Society for the detection of Thieves and Midnight Marauders. These night patrolmen walked the city streets with lanterns keeping eye for 'suspicious activity.'
The name Dunstable changed to Nashua on December 31st, 1836. The name origin of Nashua is from the Nashua River that runs through the city. The Nashuway Indians of Lancaster, Massachusetts named the river. In the Penacook language, Nashua means 'beautiful stream with a pebbly bottom'.
The Railroad was extended to Nashua in 1838 from Lowell. Water Street became one of the most concentrated industrial districts in all of New England.
A strange thing happened in 1842. Nashuans split into two towns. The Harbor Pond area (South River) population outvoted the Nashua Village (a.k.a. Indian Village) population regarding the location of Nashua's first town hall. The Village wanted to see Nashua's government centered north of the Main Street Bridge, and the people siding with the Southern Nashua Settlement favored the Main Street location. The more populous southern settlement won a vote put to all the people of Nashua. The north end was so upset by the loss they broke off and chartered a new town; Hence Nashville was created on June 23, 1842. The two towns would not reunite until 11 years later.
See the City Seal
The first photographer of Nashua was a man by the name of Lane. He set up shop using the Daguerreotype process in the Long Block between Factory and Main Streets. He later moved to the Beasom Block and his successor, S. B. Richardson expanded the business into a studio and equipment shop, offering the people of Nashua a chance to experiment with the cameras and gadgets of the time.
Numerous small manufacturers began in the 1830's. The city opened its first bookstore. In addition, Pennichuck Water works began operations in 1852 and introduced indoor plumbing.
The George Underhill Edge Tool Company started in 1850 and became quite a famous exporter of axes, hatchets, hammers, chisels, cleavers and the sort throughout the world. He was also responsible for the Crown Hill area, as he owned most of it. Later, the subdivided lots created many housing developments. Mayors William Beasom and Gilman Scripture were both executive employees in George Underhill's company.
Contributors and borrowers who would pay to borrow books started he first lending library, the Union Athenaeum.
The Indian Head Bank began in 1851.
The Indian Head Bank
The Nashua Gas & Light Company began operation in 1853. They illuminated Main Street from dusk until dawn by lamplight. City workers snuffed lamps early every morning.
The city started a small house on Taylor Street to take care of the sick in 1867; Dr. Edward Spaulding was Nashua's first resident physician. In 1870, the Central Fire Station opened and Nashua founded the Historical Society. McQuestion, Eayers, Golman and Atherton are just some of the founders of this important society.
The Merchants Exchange building opened in 1872.
From 1875 to 1879, there was a strong economy in the new mills. Most Nashuans were working in the mills and living in tenements or company housing close by. Downtown had about 40 grocery stores!
Population in 1880 was over 13,000; an amazing 50% increase fr
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